A solar-powered future for India’s Ladakh region

Ladakh, a cold, desert region high in the western Himalayas, is abandoning fossil fuels and embracing clean energy.

For years, residents have relied on fossil fuels imported from nearby valleys. But transporting kerosene and diesel, as well as firewood, proved to be expensive and trucks added further to the air pollution in the region.

With the support of public subsidies, however, Ladakhis are now turning to solar cookers, solar water heating systems and photovoltaic panels for electricity. The region’s cold temperatures ensure the photovoltaic panels work efficiently. And by producing their own energy, local people are improving their energy independence.